Am I an Empath?
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
What is an Empath
An empath is often described as one who identifies with another person’s emotions as if they were their own. This personality trait goes beyond the usual definitions of relating to others. For example, being sympathetic is merely understanding another’s experience. Empathy moves beyond this definition, where somebody feels for or with another person. Sometimes highly-sensitive beings perceive what others are feeling so intensely their emotions are being pulled about with little understanding of why. This experience can be challenging for some because their life can turn upside down when family members or close friends experience the agitating cycles of life.
Is Being an Empath a Gift
Despite this challenge, this form of empathy is often thought of as a gift. I agree with this perspective. Those who relate emotionally to the experiences of others in this fashion often assist in healing experiences for others because they validate others’ feelings in meaningful ways. Sometimes those who are empathic bridge communication gaps where language has no nourishment.
Recently neuroscientists have discovered the human brain contains specific brain circuit structures called mirror neurons. These neurons primarily respond by interpreting the emotional state of others, and then translating these experiences into mirrored responses. This research provides scientific answers to how this process occurs. Furthermore, the latest research describes how humans experience and interact in their environment and how we are wired to connect.
Emotional Stability as an Empath
What can you do to create emotional stability as an empath? I recommend taking a moment in the morning to establish an emotional baseline. As you feel a shift during the day, ask yourself, “Is this mine?”. It may also be helpful to ask yourself “who” may be feeling this that you are picking up on instead of “why” you’re feeling this way.
This isn’t to say all emotions belong to others. When it is your emotions, there may be somebody in your social field who is picking up on you whom you can connect with.
This reality of the human experience presents an ideal opportunity to become vulnerable and realize that you’re not alone. After all, we are biologically wired to understand how others feel and experience the world together.
*Note this article was originally written by an unknown intern and updated by the Wasatch Family Therapy team.
